ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Labour Bureau releases Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers  – March, 2022
The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment releases Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers  for March, 2022.
The All-India CPI-IW for March, 2022 increased by 1.0 point and stood at 126.0 . On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.80 per cent with respect to previous month compared to an increase of 0.50 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago.
The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Food & Beverages group contributing 0.59 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Buffalo-Milk, Cow-Milk, Poultry/chicken, Sunflower oil, Soyabean oil, Palm oil, Apple, Ragi, Peas, Radish, Chili green, Lemon, Potato, Mango, Foreign liquor, Coriander, Cumin/Jeera, Tea Leaf, Saree Cotton, Cooking Gas, Petrol, Telephone/ Mobile Charges etc. are responsible for the rise in index. However, this increase was largely checked by Onion, Tomato, Kundru, Brinjal, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Gourd, Egg-Hen, Water melon, Grapes, Beat root, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Sangrur recorded a maximum increase of 6.3 points followed by Labac-Silchar and Angul-Talchar with 5.8 and 5.4 points respectively. Among others, 2 centers recorded increase between 4 to 4.9 points, 4 centers between 3 to 3.9 points, 8 centers between 2 to 2.9 points, 20 centers between 1 to 1.9 points and 39 centers between 0.1 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Salem recorded a maximum decrease of 1.1 points. Among others, 11 centers recorded decrease between 0.1 to 0.9 points.
Year-on-year inflation for the month stood at 5.35 per cent compared to 5.04 per cent for the previous month and 5.64 per cent during the corresponding month a year before. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 6.27 per cent against 5.09 per cent of the previous month and 5.36 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
Labour Bureau has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centers in the country. The index is compiled for 88 centers and All-India and is released on the last working day of succeeding month.
Y-o-Y Inflation based on CPI-IW 
All-India Group-wise CPI-IW for February, 2022 and March, 2022
|
|
Sr. No.
|
|
Groups
|
|
February, 2022
|
|
March, 2022
|
|
I
|
|
Food & Beverages
|
|
123.9
|
|
125.4
|
|
II
|
|
Pan, Supari, Tobacco & Intoxicants
|
|
142.1
|
|
144.1
|
|
III
|
|
Clothing & Footwear
|
|
123.2
|
|
123.9
|
|
IV
|
|
Housing
|
|
118.9
|
|
118.9
|
|
V
|
|
Fuel & Light
|
|
158.6
|
|
160.6
|
|
VI
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
123.1
|
|
123.9
|
|
|
|
General Index
|
|
125.0
|
|
126.0
CPI-IW: Groups Indices
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of April, 2022 will be released on Tuesday, 31st May, 2022. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
For “Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers on base , please click here.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission to scale-up scientific & industrial R&D for quantum technologies
National Quantum Mission received cabinet approval at a total cost of Rs. 6003.65 crore, to scale up scientific and industrial R&D, for accelerating Quantum Technology led economic growth and leverage India into a leading nation in the area
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the National Quantum Mission  at a total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31, aiming to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology . This will accelerate QT led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications .
The new mission targets developing intermediate scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology. Satellite based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India, long distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km as well as multi-node Quantum network with quantum memories are also some of the deliverables of the Mission.
The mission will help develop magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation. It will also support design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices. Single photon sources/detectors, entangled photon sources will also be developed for quantum communications, sensing and metrological applications.
Four Thematic Hubs  will be set up in top academic and National R&D institutes on the domains - Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices. The hubs which will focus on generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them.
NQM can take the technology development eco-system in the country to a globally competitive level. The mission would greatly benefit communication, health, financial and energy sectors as well as drug design, and space applications. It will provide a huge boost to National priorities like digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India and Sustainable Development Goals .
Ministry of Finance
ADB, India sign $96.3 million loan to improve water supply and sanitation services in Himachal Pradesh
The Asian Development Bank  and the Government of India today signed a $96.3-million loan agreement to provide safe drinking water and improve water supply and sanitation services in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
The signatories for the Himachal Pradesh Rural Drinking Water Improvement and Livelihood Project were Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, who signed on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Takeo Konishi, Country Director for ADB in India, who signed for ADB.
After signing the loan agreement Mr Mishra stated that the project is aligned with the objectives of the Government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission which aims to provide piped water to all rural households by 2024 and it will upgrade water supply infrastructure and strengthen institutional capacity to ensure safe, sustainable, and inclusive rural water supply and sanitation services.
“ADB's involvement in the project will provide water management best practices, strengthen institutional capacity, and guide tariff reform,” added Mr. Konishi. “These interventions will address the government’s aim of providing uninterrupted pressurised water supply to households, inclusive sanitation services, strengthening operation and maintenance for sustainable service delivery, and building capacity of relevant staff.”
More than 90% of the state's rural population have access to drinking water, but the water supply infrastructure needs revamping, to result in efficient and improved service quality. The ADB project will connect 75,800 households to the service, providing uninterrupted water supply to about 3,70,000 residents across 10 districts. To improve water supply and sanitation services, the project aims to construct 48 groundwater wells, 80 surface water intake facilities, 109 water treatment plants, 117 pumping stations, and 3,000 km of water distribution pipelines. A pilot fecal sludge management and sanitation programme will also be implemented in Sirmaur District, benefiting 250,000 residents.
The project will strengthen the capacity of the Jal Shakti Vibhag of the Government of Himachal Pradesh and gram panchayat  village water and sanitation committees. It will support the state governments water tariff policy reforms and introduce an asset management system at the state-level and district asset management plans. Key project stakeholders and community-based organisations will be trained on water management, including livelihood skills training for women self-help groups.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members-49 from the region.
Ministry of Finance
Thalis are more Affordable for the Common Person Now, Says the Economic Survey
Affordability of Thalis vis-à-vis a day’s pay of a worker has improved over time, indicating improved welfare of the common person. The Economic Survey 2019-20 presented in Parliament today by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt Nirmala Sitharaman states that affordability of vegetarian Thalis improved 29 per cent from 2006-07 to 2019-20 while that for non-vegetarian Thalis by 18 per cent.
The conclusion has been drawn on the basis of “Thalinomics: the Economics of a plate of food in India” – an attempt to quantify what a common person pays for a Thali across India. Using the dietary guidelines for Indians, the price of Thalis are constructed. Price data from the Consumer Price Index for industrial workers for around 80 centers in 25 States and UTs from April 2006 to October 2019 has been used for the study.
The Survey states that across India and also the 4 regions- North, South, East and West- it is found that the absolute prices of a vegetarian Thali have decreased significantly since 2015-16 though the price has increased in 2019. This is owing to the sharp downward trend in the prices of vegetables and dal in contrast to the previous trend of increasing prices. As a result, an average household of 5 individuals that eats two vegetarian Thalis a day, gained around Rupees 10887, on average per year, while a non-vegetarian household gained Rupees 11787, on averageper year.
The Survey states that 2015-16 can be considered as a year when there was a shift in the dynamics of Thali prices. Many reform measures were introduced since 2014-15 to enhance the productivity of the agricultural sector as well as efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural markets for better and more transparent price discovery.
The Economic Survey says that food is not just an end in itself but also an essential ingredient in the growth human capital and therefore important for national wealth creation. “Zero hunger” has been agreed upon by nations of the world as a Sustainable Development Goal .
PIB Headquarters
Fortnight for app Effect & Reactification
The Income Tax Department, Tamilnadu & Puducherry is dedicating the first fortnight of June 2018  for attending to the grievance of the taxpayers with regard to pending Appeal Effects and Rectification applications. All the officers located in the State of Tamilnadu & the Union Territory of Puducherry would be attending to the grievances. The taxpayers and/or their Representatives who wish to explain their cases in person may meet their respective jurisdictional Assessing Officers in the first half of working day during the fortnight. The taxpayers may avail this opportunity to get their grievances redressed.
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Ministry of Defence
Keel Laying of First and Second 25t Bollard Pull Tugs
 At M/S Titagarh Wagons LTD, Kolkata
Contract for construction of six 25 Ton Bollard Pull Tugs was concluded with M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd, Kolkata on 12 Nov 21 at a cost of Rs 169.5 Crores in consonance with “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India. These Tugs are being built with a service life of 30 years. The tugs will be capable of assisting naval ships and submarines in berthing and un-berthing, turning and manoeuvering in confined waters. The tugs will also provide afloat firefighting assistance to ships alongside and at anchorage and will have capability for limited Search and Rescue Operations.
Keel for first and second 25T Bollard Pull Tugs  was laid by Cmde Rituraj Sahu, VSM, Naval Officer-in-Charge  on 27 Oct 22 at M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd, Kolkata, West Bengal. With all major and auxiliary equipment/ systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these tugs are proud flag bearers of “Make in India, Make for the World” initiatives of Ministry of Defence.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Grant of Organized Group ‘A’ Status to Indian Railway Protection Force  Service
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Grant of Organised Group 'A' status to Indian Railway Protection Force  and consequential benefits of Non-Functional Financial Upgradation  with effect from 01-01-2006 and Non-Functional Selection Grade  @ 30% of Senior Duty Post  with effect from 06.06.2000, as per Department of Personnel and Training guidelines dated 24.04.2009 and 06.06.2000 respectively and subsequent instructions thereon.
Major Impact
Grant of status of Organized Group 'A' service to RPF will end stagnation, improve career progression of the officers and keep up their motivational level. Eligible officers of RPF will get benefitted.
Background
High Court of Delhi vide its order dated 4-12-2012 had directed Railways to grant Group 'A' Service status to RPF. Same was upheld by Hon'ble Supreme Court of India on 5-2-2019. Accordingly, Railway Board had proposed for grant of Organised Group 'A' Service status to RPF.
Ministry of Education
National Education Policy, 2020
The National Education Policy, 2020 has recommended a revamp of the higher education in the country to make education more student-centric and multi-disciplinary. It aims to pave way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the country. The policy envisions a complete overhaul and re-energizing of the higher education system to overcome existing challenges and thereby deliver good quality higher education with equity and inclusion. Some of the salient features of National Education Policy 2020 for higher education inter-alia includes the following:-
- Increasing GER in higher education to 50%;
- Holistic Multidisciplinary Education with multiple entry/exit options;
- NTA to offer Common Entrance Exam for Admission to HEIs;
- Establishment of Academic Bank of Credit;
- ‘Light but Tight’ regulation;
- Equitable and inclusive education - Special emphasis given on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups;
- Exposure of vocational education in school and higher education system;
UGC has issued ‘UGC  Regulation, 2021’. Academic Bank of Credit  has been set up and Guidelines on Multiple Entry/Exit have been issued on 29.07.2021, to promote flexibility of curriculum framework and interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary academic mobility of students across the Higher Education Institutions in the country with appropriate ‘Credit Transfer’ mechanism. The ABC portal  is open for registration of both Students and Universities.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Cyclone Warning Centres in Coastal States
There are seven Cyclone Warning Centers covering the east & west coasts of our country to cater to the need of Cyclone Warning Services and Marine weather services.
Three Area Cyclone Warning Centres  are located at Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata and four Cyclone Warning Centres  at Thiruvananthapuram, Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar. The responsibility for operational cyclone warning work for the respective area rests with the ACWCs and CWCs. Area of responsibility of ACWCs and CWCs is given in Annexure I.
All the 13 coastal States and Union Territories are benefitted from the services provided by these warning centers.
Annexure-I
Area of responsibility of ACWC/CWC
|
|
Centre
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|
Sea area
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|
Coastal area|
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Maritime State
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ACWC Kolkata
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Bay of Bengal
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|
West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
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|
West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
|
|
ACWC Chennai
|
|
Bay of Bengal
|
|
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal Kerala, Mahe& Karnataka & Lakshadweep
|
|
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal Kerala, Mahe& Karnataka & Lakshadweep
|
|
ACWC Mumbai
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|
Arabian Sea
|
|
Maharashtra, Goa
|
|
Maharashtra, Goa
|
|
CWC Thiruvananthapuram
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|
Arabian Sea
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|
Kerala, Mahe & Karnataka & Lakshadweep
|
|
Kerala, Mahe & Karnataka & Lakshadweep
|
|
CWC Ahmedabad
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|
Arabian Sea
|
|
Gujarat, Diu, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
|
|
Gujarat, Diu, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
|
|
CWC Visakhapatnam
|
|
Bay of Bengal
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
CWC Bhubaneshwar
|
|
Bay of Bengal
|
|
Odisha
|
|
OdishaCoastal strip of responsibility extends up to 75 km from the coast line.
This was stated by Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Urban Development
PM launches ‘PM Vishwakarma’ for traditional artisans and crafts people, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri witnesses the occasion virtually at GNDU, Amritsar
'PM Vishwakarma' scheme will be instrumental in improvising the skill set of people working in informal sector - Hardeep Singh Puri
"PM Vishwakarma to cover eighteen crafts, which will give credit support and training for skill upgradation"
On Vishwakarma Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ Scheme, for traditional artisans and crafts people, which will give the credit support as well as upgrade the skill set.
On this occasion, a program was organised at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, which was attended by Sh Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India alongwith large number of artisans and crafts people. Addressing the gathering from the podium, Sh Hardeep Singh Puri said that 'PM Vishwakarma' will prove highly beneficial for the people engaged in informal sector. He said, "besides providing financial support, this scheme will also upgrade the skillset of targeted poeple. Welcoming the chief guest and other dignitaries present in the function, Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar congratulated the hon'ble minister for the launch of 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme. He also said that the launch of this scheme reminds him the time when Deen Dyal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana was started.
The scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills of Vishwakarmas working with their hands and tools. The prime focus of PM Vishwakarma is at improving the quality as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that they are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.
Under the scheme, the Vishwakarmas will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centres using biometric based PM Vishwakarma portal. They will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training, toolkit incentive of ₹15,000, collateral-free credit support up to ₹1 lakh  and ₹2 lakh  at a concessional interest rate of 5%, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
The scheme will provide support to artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban areas, across India. Eighteen traditional crafts will be covered under PM Vishwakarma. Eighteen traditional crafts will be covered under PM Vishwakarma. These include  Carpenter;  Boat Maker;  Armourer;  Blacksmith ;  Hammer and Tool Kit Maker;  Locksmith;  Goldsmith;  Potter;  Sculptor, Stone breaker;  Cobbler ;  Mason ;  Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver;  Doll & Toy Maker ;  Barber;  Garland maker;  Washerman;  Tailor; and  Fishing Net Maker.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions  Code to provide decent working conditions and social security to all categories of workers including migrant workers
The data on Employment and Unemployment is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey  which is conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation  since 2017-18. The survey period is July to June of next year. As per the data available in latest Annual PLFS Reports, the estimated Worker Population Ratio , indicating employment, on usual status for persons of age 15 years & above was 50.9%, 52.6% and 52.9% during 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively.
As per the Report Migration in India, 2020-21, based on PLFS 2020-21, released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation , the total migration rate in India was 28.9%. Out of the total migrant persons, around 10.8% persons were migrated due to employment related reasons. The employment related reasons include in search of employment/better employment, for employment/ work  and loss of job/closure of unit/lack of employment opportunities.
There exist several social security and welfare schemes for workers including migrant workers. Some of the prominent schemes are as follows:
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana  and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  launched in 2015 provide for life & disability cover due to natural or accidental death.  PradhanMantriShram Yogi Man Dhan Pension Scheme  launched in 2019 provides for old age social security in the form of monthly pension.  Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana  launched in 2018 provides Rs.5 lakh health coverage for secondary and tertiary health benefits to those migrant workers who are covered as eligible beneficiaries as per deprivation and occupation criteria.  PM-SVANidhi Scheme facilitates collateral free working capital loan of upto Rs.10,000/- for one-year tenure to street vendors.  Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana caters to the housing needs of all eligible beneficiaries.
Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both the Central and the State Governments are appropriate Governments to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of the employees employed in the Scheduled employments including Migrant labourers under their respective jurisdictions. Under Section 13 of the Inter-State Migrant Workmen  Act, 1979, an Inter-State migrant workmen shall in no case be paid less than the wages fixed under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 .
In order to safeguard the interests of the migrant workers, the Central Government had enacted the Inter-state Migrant Workmen  Act, 1979. This Act has now been subsumed in the Occupational Safety, Health and the Working Conditions  Code. The OSH Code provides for decent working conditions, minimum wages, grievance redressal mechanisms, protection from abuse and exploitation, enhancement of skills and social security to all categories of workers including migrant workers.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Defence
Bangladesh Navy Ship Prottoy Visits Mumbai
Bangladesh Navy Ship  Prottoy is on a two day visit to Mumbai from 14 to 15 Feb 21. The ship commanded by Captain Ahamed Amin Abdullah with a crew of 137 personnel is docked at Mumbai Port Trust.
Due to COVID-19 imposed restrictions, routine courtesy call-ons, social get togethers, exchange visits and other sports fixtures between the visitors and host naval personnel are being avoided.
This visit of BNS Prottoy to Mumbai is significant in the backdrop that the two countries celebrated 50 years of Bangladesh independence recently. To commemorate the occasion, for the first time, a marching contingent and military band from Bangladesh participated in India’s Republic Day Parade. Since the formation of Bangladesh, both India and Bangladesh have come a long way in nurturing strategic and defence relationships and these bonds are gradually growing in mutual trust and confidence.
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